Here’s the News:

The DES Science Fair is getting rolling!All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are invited to enter the DES Science Fair will be held on March 22, 2019. Your student’s science teacher will be discussing the whole thing in classes soon. An information page is attached to let you know more about what’s going on, and what the dates and deadlines are. Please return your Safety Forms (Form #1A or #1B also attached) to your child’s teacher by February 7th.See the 2019 Science Fair Safety Forms here

Gator Gamble Committee is asking for helpThe biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up and the Gator Gamble Committee needs YOU! We are asking for help seeking donations for both the Silent and Live Auctions. Do you have season tickets that you could add to the auction or do you know a business that you could reach out to for a donation? If you can help, please reach out to Lisa Gebbia at lisa.gebbia@gmail.com or Melissa Robinson at mrsrobinson062005@gmail.com.

New this year will be the Gator Gamble “Detention Slip” – a special pass that will allow folks to stay after class (after the silent auction bidding ends) for some extra time to bid on the Class Baskets and Teacher Time packages – which are always the most coveted items at the Gator Gamble. To get your “Detention Slip” pass, bring in five donations (class basket items do not count) and once we receive the donations, you will receive one pass for one person.

Save the Date: May 11thGator Gallop 5K / 1 Mile / Fun Registration OpenAdd a family friendly race to your health & fitness resolutions for 2019, and join us for the DES Gator Gallop! We’re excited to share the registration link for the 2019 Gator Gallop fun run being held on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Davidsonville Park. The fun run is a family event that benefits DES. New this year – we’ve added a 5K & fun run category for those children that like to do both events as well as the option for anyone to purchase additional t-shirts. Register online today at this link.

PTO General Membership Meeting Jan. 22ndAll DES PTO members are encouraged to attend the second of three planned General Membership Meetings (GMM) set for next Tuesday, Jan. 22nd at DES. There will a short meeting, general discussion of how the year is going so far, and always time for questions and comments. We would love to have you there! The start time is dependent upon the 6:30 pm presentation on School Security that precedes the meeting, so a tentative 7:30 start for PTO GMM.

In Recognition:Volunteer of the month for NovemberChristy LogueThe DES PTO has selected Christy Logue as Volunteer of the Month at DES for the month of November.

Christy is excited to head the Teacher Luncheon Committee this year. She is also on the Book Fair committee, the Gator Gallop Committee and the Social Committee. She has helped with I Read-You Read, Holiday Shoppe and with the Gator Gamble event. It’s totally awesome!

She is always willing to chaperone the field trips and you will also see her every Thursday in her favorite volunteer place, the copy room! She also volunteers as a Sunday school teacher. Christy and Brian have 2 girls Madelyn (4th grade) and Hollyn (2nd grade).

We would like to send out a huge cheer for everything that Christy does for everyone at DES! Thank you for your enthusiasm, your involvement, and all of your smiles.

Reminders:

You can still register for Cooking Classes!Students of all ages are invited to join in on the Spring session of Deliciously Nutritious cooking class. STEM-The Science of Cooking will explore all facets of creating delicious food and the science behind it all. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays after school, from 3:55 to 5:15 pm for 10 weeks. Cost is $200 and includes all supplies and food. Space is limited, so read the attached flier for all details and send in your registrations today.See the DES Spring 2019 Cooking Program flier hereSee the DES Spring 2019 Cooking Program Registration form here

DES PTO Speaker Series presents:“School Security with Doyle Batten” January 22ndAll DES parents are invited to attend an informative event about school security within Anne Arundel County Schools. Special guest speaker Doyle Batten is the Supervisor of School Security for AACPS and has an extensive background in law enforcement. Get a general overview of the AACPS Office of School Security, learn about the role the office plays in emergency prevention and response, and take part in a Q&A session with Mr. Batten.